The BBC reminds us, or if we didn’t know, informs us that the “Bible was the daily reading of millions of people throughout the English speaking world, from Northamptonshire cobblers to US presidents – though not perhaps so far distant in the latter case.

“Readers absorbed its language both directly and through other reading. Tennyson considered Bible reading “an education in itself”, while Dickens called the New Testament “the very best book that ever was or ever will be known in the world.””

Christopher Hitchens isn’t endorsing Charles Dickens’ view of the Bible when it is said that, “Hitchens is the second atheist, after Richard Dawkins, to laud the KJV in honour of the 400th anniversary of the translation. The prominent atheist recognised and expressed appreciation for its contribution to English literature.

“”Though I am sometimes reluctant to admit it, there really is something ‘timeless’ in the Tyndale/King James synthesis,” said Hitchens in his commentary featured in Vanity Fair.”

We have to keep in mind that Hitchens “made the argument that “religion poisons everything” in his book, God Is Not Great, . . .” an interesting claim considering the passage of Scripture he chose to make a contrast with the KJV and a modern translation of the same quote – which he called, ‘pancake-flat’ was from the New Testament book of Philippians which he read at his father’s funeral:

“Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” (Philippians 4:8; King James Version).

I am trying to think what is poisonous about that advice!! Interesting!